Valve apparatus; arrangement with valve apparatus and method for operating an arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve apparatus having a housing (100), which housing has a first port (102), which can be connected to a tank (200), and a second port (106), having a closing element (110) which is provided in the housing and which can be placed into an open position, in which a fluid connection is produced between the first port and second port, and which can be placed into a closed position, in which the first and second ports are separated from one another in fluid-tight fashion, having a first (120) and a second (130) seal arrangement between closing element and housing, wherein the first and the second seal arrangement (120, 130) are spaced apart from one another and wherein each seal arrangement interacts with a corresponding seat (126, 136). To create a valve device for the aseptic transport of filling material, it is proposed that a chamber (140) be provided which, in the closed position, is delimited by the seal arrangements, the closing element and the housing, and that a reservoir (142) is provided which can be connected to the chamber and which serves to accommodate a bactericidal fluid, and that the chamber (140) and the reservoir (142) are adapted to form a germ barrier that is created in the closed position with the bactericidal fluid. The invention also relates to an arrangement having a valve apparatus of said type and to a method for operating an arrangement.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 of Swiss Application No. 01650 / 12, filed Sep. 11, 2012, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.[0002]The invention relates to a valve apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1, an arrangement comprising a valve apparatus according to claim 1 and a method for operating such an arrangement comprising a valve apparatus according to claim 1.PRIOR ART[0003]For many foods, the country of origin of the raw produce and the markets on which they are sold are separated from each other by large distances. For example, various kinds of fruit are harvested in South America and processed to form a basic liquid foodstuff which must be transported as far as Europe. Transportation is in tank containers, for example. Such a tank container has a frame construction in which a tank is secured. The tank container may then be transported overseas on container ships, transl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The valve apparatus effectively prevents germ contamination of transported foodstuffs by forming and maintaining a germ barrier, allowing for cost-efficient and aseptic transportation of sensitive liquids over long distances.

Problems solved by technology

Some basic liquid foodstuffs pose a major challenge for transportation.

For example, the basic material for fresh and largely untreated orange juice becomes unfit for consumption even at minimal levels of germ contamination.

Due to contamination with germs, the environmental conditions during ocean transport and the duration between loading and unloading have hitherto prevented any cost-efficient transportation of such orange juice.

Some weak points of tank containers have been identified as problematic points and include the “manhole”, or facilities for taking samples.

Another weak point for transportation is the valve apparatus for the tank.

In the region of the seal arrangement, there is a risk of contamination by germs, particularly in the case of very long transportation routes such as the aforementioned, and the procedures this involves.

One consequence is that some basic foodstuffs have never been transported over such long distances hitherto by means of such tank containers, as contamination with germs could not be prevented, despite meticulous operation and treatment with sterilising fluids, for example with hot steam.

Images